Web Browsers: Mozilla lays off 250 staff, shifts focus to VPN

Web Browsers: Mozilla lays off 250 staff, shifts focus to VPN

Mozilla will pivot its focus to revenue-generating and privacy-focused projects

Mozilla Corporation has announced it'll lay off circa 250 employees, cutting its workforce by one quarter.

The company, best known for its popular Firefox browser, has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and can now pivot its focus to projects that generate greater revenue - like the newly launched Mozilla VPN.

“We know we'd like to travel beyond [Firefox] to offer people new products and technologies that both excite them and represent their interests,” wrote CEO Mitchell Baker during a blog post.

• Here's our list of the simplest VPN services around
• Mozilla just launched an all-new VPN
• Check out our list of the simplest secure routers on the market

“Over the last while, it's been clear that Mozilla isn't structured properly to make these new things - and to create the higher internet we all deserve.”

Mozilla operations in Taipei, Taiwan are going to be closed entirely as a part of the restructure, while an extra 60 employees (on top of the 250 made redundant) are going to be asked to shift departments.

Mozilla layoffs

While Firefox will remain a core pillar of Mozilla’s business, the company’s privacy- and security-related products will combat newfound importance. Specifically, the corporate will invest in its Pocket, Hubs, VPN, and Web Assembly offerings.

Mozilla also will build out a replacement “Design and UX team” to directly support these product lines and a replacement “Machine Learning team” to enhance the company’s capabilities during this area.

“This is tough to internalize and that I desperately wish there were other thanks to set Mozilla up for future success in building a far better internet. I desperately wish that each one those that choose Mozilla as an employer could stay as long as interest and skills connect,” said Baker.

“But to travel further, we must be organized to be ready to believe a special world. To imagine that technology will become embedded in our world even quite it's and that we want that technology to possess different characteristics and values than we experience today.”

Read Alos: Garmin down why the outage, is it to try to to with ransomware, and what are you able to do?

Mozilla has thanked the unfortunate 250 for his or her diligence and commitment but stressed the importance of the restructure to preserving the long-term way forward for the business - especially following a turbulent few months during the pandemic.




Source URL